Daily life in Kaifeng dormitory

Gu Jiu tried his best to straighten his back, but his waist and legs were really sore, and his posture was very awkward when he walked.

Zhao Mu stayed with him every step of the way, helping him to sit down, which made Gu Jiu a little embarrassed.

Gu Jiu glanced at them, and said straight to the point: "I know what you guys are here for."

Murong Chang said indifferently: "We need to know about the snake pattern totem."

Gu Jiu took a deep breath, seemed to be remembering, and said, "I don't know much..."

Gu Jiu is a killer. He was bought by a person when he was a child. That person took him to a place, put him and other children together, and trained them day and night.

Later, Gu Jiu began to be frequently sent out on missions and became a real killer.

The killer just needs to complete the task. They only know who the next target is and when that person should die. They can't ask more about the rest, otherwise they will be the ones who die.

As a killer, Gu Jiu knew the truth of not talking and not asking. He has always just accepted the task and killed people, never meddling in other people's business.

He has done a few cases about the snake totem, and generally knows only a few things.This snake-totem organization has indeed been looking for opportunities to rebel.

Gu Jiu said: "Actually, they have already plotted against them once, but they failed."

"Oh?" Ni Ye was taken aback, and said, "When?"

Gu Jiu couldn't help but glanced at Zhao Mu, hesitated and said, "It was the time when Prince Jing led troops to suppress it."

Everyone frowned upon hearing this.

Zhao Mu's father was Prince Jing's deputy, and died in battle at that time, and Zhao Mu was taken in by Prince Jing later, Zhao Mu knew about this.

It was also because Murong Yan went to help Zhao Yuanjing back then that he died quietly afterwards.

Ni Yexin did not expect that the incident of rebellion had something to do with the organization of the Snake Totem.

Gu Jiu didn't know much about it, but he was sure that it was planned by the Snake Totem Organization that time, but unfortunately it failed.

Later, the Snake Totem organization quietly disappeared for many years, and suddenly began to rise secretly again. They wanted to recruit troops to rebel, and naturally they couldn't lack money, so they recruited many businessmen to help them secretly smuggle salt and iron.

If you want to smuggle salt and iron, you will naturally have to get through the government, and infiltrate many officials related to water transportation.

Of course, they also need to consolidate their power in the court. It is not enough to have merchants and silver taels, they need public opinion to influence the court.

Gu Jiu said: "We have taken over a few missions to assassinate several important court officials."

The organization of the snake pattern totem will win over some ministers, but some ministers are loyal to the emperor, so they will naturally fail to win over.But the organization of the Snake Totem is afraid that things will be leaked, and these stubborn people will be dealt with by killers.

Gu Jiu said again: "I remember one time, we got a list and wanted to kill three people. But the night before the operation, the list was suddenly changed, and finally it became only two people to kill."

When Ni Yexin heard it, he understood immediately, and said, "So it was another person who changed his mind and surrendered? So he was removed from the list?"

Gu Jiu nodded and said, "Maybe so, but I'm not sure. I'm just a killer, and I don't know the rest. If you want to know about the snake pattern totem, you still need to find that person, and maybe you can find something." .”

"Who is that person?" Murong Chang frowned affectionately and said, "Where is he now?"

Gu Jiu said: "He resigned a year ago, but he still lives in Kaifeng. His eldest son is currently serving as the Minister of the Ministry of War. I heard that in three days, it will be that man's [-]th birthday."

Murong Changqing's eyes narrowed. Although Gu Jiu didn't mention his name, the conditions he gave were already very clear.

Ni Yexin said, "Eh? It's Mr. Peng?"

Gu Jiu didn't speak.

Murong Changqing immediately stood up, as if he wanted to see that Mr. Peng right away.

"Wait a moment!"

Zhao Mu stood up suddenly and said, "The poison on Gu Jiu..."

When Gu Jiu heard Zhao Mu mention this, his body seemed to be a little stiff.He had recovered his memory, so he naturally knew that he was poisoned.

Murong Changqing turned around, took out a small bottle from his sleeve, and said, "I can't cure his poison, but try not to use my internal strength, take one medicine every ten days, it can suppress the poison and prevent it from attacking."

Ni Yexin saw the small bottle, immediately reached out and snatched it, took a look at the stopper, and then heaved a sigh of relief before handing the small bottle to Zhao Mu.

Murong Changqing was a little funny, and looked sideways at Ni Yexin.

Ni Yexin was terrified when he saw him, and hurriedly pulled Murong Changqing away, and said after walking out of the room, "Your bottles all look the same."

Murong smiled affectionately, took out another small bottle, and said, "Here, I will keep this for you, don't worry, I won't give it to anyone else."

Ni Yexin's face turned red all of a sudden, and she reached out to snatch the bottle of aphrodisiac, which was said to cost several hundred taels of silver, and said, "Give it to me!"

But Murong Changqing's movements were really fast, and he put it away immediately. Seeing Ni Yexin rushing over, he caught him, and then slapped his ass, saying: "Don't worry, I'll give it to you when I have time."

Ni Yexin's face turned even redder immediately, and she said, "Bah, whoever wants that thing, I'll take it and throw it away and trample it!"

Murong Changqing just laughed, which meant that Ni Ye was duplicity.

It is not a secret at all that someone in Kaifeng celebrates his [-]th birthday. As expected, the father of Mr. Peng, Minister of the Ministry of War, is celebrating his birthday. Heard that there will be a big banquet, so many people know about it. Although there are still three days until the birthday banquet, there are already many people in the Peng family. Few people came to visit, and all those who came from afar lived in the Peng family's mansion.

Ni Yexin inquired about the location of Peng's house, and then walked around the door of Peng's house with Murong Changqing.

You can see the feeling of joy from the outside. There are many servants at the door, and a carriage stops from time to time, and then they are welcomed in by the servants with gifts.

Ni Yexin couldn't help rubbing her chin when she saw it, and said, "How do we get in?"

"Climb over the wall and go in." Murong Chang said affectionately.

"Vulgar." Ni Yexin said.

Murong Chang said affectionately: "Do you still want to buy a gift to celebrate your birthday?"

Ni Yexin rolled her eyes and said: "I am a sixth-rank captain to celebrate the birthday of the father of the Minister of the Ministry of War. Once others hear about my rank, they won't let me in."

Murong Changqing couldn't help laughing, and said, "Isn't it time for you to show off your might?"

Ni Yexin was able to use his own rank to overwhelm others, that was a prestige.However, when he returned to Kaifeng, any one he pulled out would be much bigger than his official rank. Of course, Ni Yexin couldn't show off his power.

Ni Yexin said: "Why don't we go back to Prince Jing's Mansion again?"

"What to do?" Murong Chang said affectionately.

Ni Yexin said: "The matter of us sending the snake pattern totem has something to do with Gu Jiu anyway. Of course, Zhao Mu came to help him. He is the eldest son who respects the prince. Who would dare not let him in if he took any gift?"

What Ni Yexin said was indeed reasonable, Zhao Mu's identity was extraordinary, how could a mere military servant dare to disrespect the prince's eldest son?

Just as Zhao Mu sent Ni Yexin and Murong Changqing away, the two came back in a blink of an eye, making Zhao Mu a little helpless.

Ni Yexin quickly told Zhao Mu the cause and effect, and Zhao Mu glanced at Gu Jiu and said, "I see."

Even for Gu Jiu, Zhao Mu wanted to clarify this matter, so he would naturally help.

And he is not a person who holds grudges, now that Gu Jiu is back, it is too late for him to be happy.

Zhao Mu changed his clothes, then got some things to be wrapped up casually, and was about to go out with Ni Yexin and Murong Changqing.

Gu Jiu said: "Wait a minute, I'll go with you."

Zhao Mu said: "No, you are not feeling well, take a good rest at home, and nothing will happen to me."

Gu Jiu was really worried that something might happen to Zhao Mu.

Ni Yexin looked at the small eyes of the two of them, and said, "Why don't you let Gu Jiu follow, he might not be safe here alone."

Zhao Mu hesitated when he heard this, and finally nodded, agreeing to go with Gu Jiu.

They left Prince Jing's Mansion, and then went to Peng's mansion.

There was a family member at the door to greet him, and he was stunned when he saw Zhao Mu at first sight. Although Zhao Mu kept a low profile, no one in Kaifeng knew the eldest son of Lord Jing.The servant rushed in to welcome Zhao Mu, and when he saw that Zhao Mu was still carrying a gift, he simply nodded and bowed.

The servant said: "Please, Eldest Young Master, our Eldest Young Master has gone to the palace and hasn't come back yet, the hospitality is not good enough."

"It doesn't matter." Zhao Mu said: "Peng Lao's birthday, I came here specially to see, how is Peng Lao's health recently?"

"This... is it good..." Jia Ding hesitated a little, with an embarrassing look on his face.

"what?"

At this moment, someone suddenly strode over and said, "Master Ni, why are you here, isn't it Xiu Mu?"

Ni Yexin turned his head and saw that it was Shen Huwei. He said in surprise, "Shen Huwei? What are you... doing here?"

Shen Huwei was wearing an official uniform, and he was accompanied by two people. It didn't look like he was here to celebrate his birthday, but he was here on business.

Shen Huwei said: "Master Ni, don't you know? Someone died in Peng's house, Master Bao specially asked me to take a look at the situation."

"What? Dead?" Ni Yexin wanted to ask right now, could it be Mr. Peng!

But if you ask this kind of question on someone's birthday, I don't know if you will be kicked out.

Shen Huwei said: "It was a person who came to celebrate Mr. Peng's birthday. I heard that he died suddenly. The body was just discovered. Someone came to report to the official early in the morning."

No wonder the family was hesitating just now. It turned out that something happened to the Peng family, and just before Master Peng's birthday, Master Peng was absolutely in shock.

Shen Huwei said: "I thought Master Ni also heard about this moment, so he came here specially."

Ni Yexin went out on an errand and came back. It was Xiumu's turn today, so naturally there would be no errands for him to do.However, Ni Yexin felt very strange that someone died suddenly in Peng's house.

Ni Yexin said, "I'll go and have a look with you."

"Okay." Shen Huwei looked like an honest person, and said, "I'm worried that I'm alone, and I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it."

Ni Yexin immediately beckoned for Murong Changqing to follow, and they followed Shen Huwei to the place where the accident happened.

The place where the accident happened was in the yard where Peng's family entertained guests. It is said that a guest came from afar. He only lived in yesterday during the day, but early this morning, someone found him dead, which scared everyone in the yard. broken.

Of course, the one with the worst face after hearing about it was Mr. Peng.

When they walked to the yard, there were many people around outside the yard, all of them were guests who had just lived here not long ago, and all of them came to celebrate their birthday.

The body of the deceased was still inside, and Wu Zuo came to do the autopsy, but it seemed that he had just arrived.

Guard Shen said, "Come on, let's go in."

Everyone followed Guard Shen to the yard, and Ni Yexin saw it as soon as he entered the yard. There was blood in the yard, and the blood was in a line, starting from the gate of the yard and spreading to an open room.

Everyone looked down at the blood stains with strange expressions on their faces.

Shen Huwei said: "There is quite a lot of blood."

This morning, a maid from the Peng family was cleaning the yard. When she entered the yard and found blood all over the floor, she was so frightened that she almost screamed out.Naturally, the little maid walked along the bloodstains and came to the door of this room.

The door of this room was closed before, but it was not locked, and it opened with a slight push.The servant girl pushed the door open and saw the bloodstains still spreading forward. She was terrified and yelled a few times tremblingly, but there was no one in the room, so she called out all the people around her instead.

Everyone was terrified when they saw the bloodstains, and hurried into the house to check. The bloodstains went from the outside to the inside, and then they saw a dead body.

That person was lying beside the bed, already dead, his body was cold, he must have been dead for a long time.

The deceased fell on the ground next to the bed. There was no panic or distorted expression on his face. Instead, he seemed to be quite calm, and there seemed to be no pain when he died.

Wu Zuo came to conduct an autopsy, and after moving the deceased a little, he found that there was a wound on the back of the deceased, which should be fatal.

There was a lot of bleeding on the back of the deceased, especially the blood on the ground beside the bed. It should be the death caused by excessive blood loss.

Murong Chang looked affectionately at the dead man's wound, and said, "It's not a dagger, it looks like a stab."

Ni Yexin couldn't tell the difference between the wound caused by the dagger and the stab, but since Murong Changqing had spoken, he absolutely believed it.

Guard Shen glanced at the deceased, and then asked the little girl who was the first to find the blood, "Is there someone patrolling the yard here?"

The little maid hurriedly nodded and said, "There are guards on patrol."

There are quite a few servants in the Peng family, because too many people have moved in recently, so there are also many people on patrol.There will be guards patrolling almost all nights, but the guards usually walk around and patrol, and nothing amiss was found last night.

Ni Yexin asked someone to bring over the servant who was on patrol, and the servant looked in disbelief when he saw the dead man.

The deceased’s surname was Yang. It is said that he was the son of Mr. Peng’s fellow countryman. He was already in his 40s.

This Mr. Yang came all the way to celebrate Mr. Peng's birthday, but he didn't expect to die here suddenly.

The guard on patrol said: "Last night, around the time of Hai, I saw this Mr. Yang. Mr. Yang was a little too drunk at the time, and he seemed to be walking a bit shaky. I asked him what he needed, and he said he was a little tired. Going back to sleep and then leaving."

The servant on patrol also said that after that, there were no guests in or out of the guest room yard, and the servants and maids never went in again, and it was quiet all the time. He patrolled around here for about four or five times, but he didn't hear any sound. Didn't know someone died.

The servant said: "I didn't hear Master Yang calling for help at all, why did he die?"

The guests living next to him were also very puzzled, none of them heard anything, and Master Yang died right next to him.

Wu conducted a preliminary autopsy and concluded that the time of death was around Hai hour, which coincided with the time when the patrolman last saw Master Yang.Perhaps after that, Master Yang was killed.

but……

Ni Yexin looked back, frowned and said, "What's the matter with the blood at the door?"

Could it be that someone killed Master Yang and left a trail of blood on purpose, in order to attract everyone's attention and let people find that Master Yang is dead?

In the courtyard of the guest room where the accident happened, someone came soon, the Minister of the Ministry of War who rushed back from the palace, and his father, Mr. Peng.

Mr. Peng came over with the support of his elder son. The two of them walked into the courtyard with a few servants. First of all, they also saw the blood on the ground.

Ni Yexin turned her head, and saw an old man with gray hair and a tough-looking body walking in with a man in official uniform.

That old man must be Mr. Peng. When Mr. Peng came in and saw the corpse on the ground, he shook his head and said tremblingly, "He...he...he died?"

Master Peng showed great fear and shock when he saw the corpse, but that expression was different from the shock when others saw the corpse.

With that expression, it seems that there is more fear.

"Father? Are you okay, shall I help you out first?" said the Minister of War.

Master Peng shook his head and said, "It's okay...it's okay, I talked to him yesterday, but I didn't expect him to die like this..."